I'm not sure if this is global warming or some fluke, but I have to ask you--do you believe God can change and control the weather? Do you believe he would if you asked him to?
Sounds crazy, huh? I think there was a guy in the Bible who fits that description--what was his name again?
James 5:17 (New International Version)
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Okay, that sounds like serious faith, right? I mean, Elijah was a prophet. He was special. God gave him supernatural prayer ability, belief, and...well...back in those days, God did more miracles to show people He existed. He doesn't do that kind of stuff anymore.
Really? (Mt 17:20, Mt 13:58, Numbers 23:19)
Am I special because I prayed God would help someone find what they had lost within the next 5 minutes, and they found it within the next few seconds? NO! It's God who performs the miracles, who has the power, who does good things for us, and helps us when we ask--even for something as "small" as finding misplaced keys.
So, what's my point with all of this?
I experienced a breakthrough in my faith last night.
First, I was recently facing losing an English student I've been teaching for the past 2 months here, my only source of income. The situation seemed bleak, but I convinced her mom to work with me and find the best decision for her and her daughter before making a final decision. I honestly felt like the situation was lost, but I went through the motions of prayer.
Second, I've been trying to find a stable home here in Kiev for the past 4 months without success. Each closed door chipped at my faith, but still I prayed.
I just did a follow-up study with Julia, teaching her about prayer from a series I received from my home church, the Turning Point. I was so convicted during the study, that I asked if I could say a quick prayer about these 2 things right then.
This prayer was so different! I prayed expecting God to fulfill my request, as if there was no other option--it was just going to happen, and that's it. I felt so hopeful and excited to see HOW God would answer my prayer, that the worry and fear was GONE. I really believed God wanted to give me what I asked for.
"But what if he doesn't?" Yeah, that's the doubt that kept me from really having faith at all. No wonder faith isn't related to logic AT ALL.
I believe, therefor it is. Of course, like Jesus, my heart is to surrender if God should answer "No" to my requests, but if that's the case, it's only because it's even BETTER than what I was asking for. (Ro 8:28) You just can't go wrong with asking God for help!
Anyway, after praying with Julia and seeing her off, I checked my email to discover that my student's mother wants to continue lessons for her daughter once a week, for which I'm so grateful.
Also, there's another possibility to move into a great apartment here with some amazing sisters. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm so faithful that it will happen according to our prayers, that I'm already counting off the days to when I can finally unpack.
I'll keep praying and asking God what's best, and keep believing that He is as good and willing to help me as He claims He is!
Maybe I'll start praying for snow, next.
Naaaaaaah.... ;)
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What desires have you given up on praying about? Can you pray again, banishing every doubt and expecting that God has already said a joyful "YES" and is working on it?
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